18th Meeting of ASEAN Directors General of Customs
Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), 11 June 2009
Report
At the invitation of Malaysia Customs, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya participated in consultation sessions at the 18th Meeting of ASEAN Directors General of Customs which was held in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) on 11 June. He explained WCO activities in preparation for the upcoming Council Sessions and explored enhanced collaboration with ASEAN customs administrations as well as cooperation in support of their economic integration that will be based on WCO instruments.
In response to questions, Mr. Mikuriya explained the change taking place within the WCO Secretariat, including the establishment of a research unit and the increased role of regional structures. He also announced the organization of the Technology Conference from 4-6 November in Brussels that will enable experience and expertise in scanning and other technology in customs to be shared. ASEAN Deputy Secretary General S. Pushpanathan welcomed strengthened cooperation with the WCO as customs played a critical role in regional integration.
Mr. Mikuriya also attended the Customs-Business dialogue session which the ASEAN meeting had introduced a few years ago. Both customs and business expressed their satisfaction for the increase in mutual understanding and benefit.